Understanding the Basics: How to Say Years in French

When learning how to say years in French, it’s important to start with the basics. The word for “year” in French is année or an. While both translate to “year” in English, they are used differently in context:

• An is typically used for counting years or referring to a specific point in time (e.g., “un an” means “one year”).
• Année is more often used when referring to the duration or period of a year (e.g., “l’année dernière” means “last year”).

When expressing specific years, such as the year 1990, French speakers generally use cardinal numbers, not ordinal numbers, unlike English. For example, 1990 is pronounced mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix (literally “one thousand nine hundred ninety”).

Cardinal Numbers and Pronunciation

To say years correctly, you need to be comfortable with French numbers. Here’s a quick rundown of the key numbers used when expressing years:

• 1000 – mille
• 1900 – mille neuf cent
• 1980 – mille neuf cent quatre-vingts
• 1999 – mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf

Note that numbers between 70 and 99 in French have unique constructions:

• 70 = soixante-dix (60 + 10)
• 80 = quatre-vingts (4 × 20)
• 90 = quatre-vingt-dix (80 + 10)

Mastering these is crucial for accurate pronunciation of years.

How to Say Specific Years in French

Expressing a particular year involves combining your knowledge of numbers with proper syntax. Here are some examples to illustrate how to say years in French:

• 1800: mille huit cents
• 1945: mille neuf cent quarante-cinq
• 2000: deux mille
• 2024: deux mille vingt-quatre

Pronunciation Tips

When pronouncing years in French, keep these tips in mind:

• Link the words smoothly: French pronunciation flows, so avoid choppy enunciation. For example, “mille neuf cent” should sound connected.
• Focus on the “s” endings: In numbers like “quatre-vingts” (80), the “s” is pronounced only if it’s at the end of the number and not followed by another number.
• Practice the nasal sounds: Words like “neuf” and “cinq” have nasal vowels, which are distinctive in French and important for clarity.

Expressing Decades and Centuries in French

Beyond individual years, you may want to talk about decades or centuries, which have their own conventions.

Decades (Les années)

To say decades, French speakers use the plural form les années followed by the number:

• the 1980s = les années quatre-vingt
• the 1990s = les années quatre-vingt-dix
• the 2000s = les années deux mille or more commonly les années 2000

Note that when referring to decades, the article les is essential, and the year is often abbreviated (e.g., “les années 80”).

Centuries (Les siècles)

Centuries in French are expressed using ordinal numbers followed by siècle (century). Ordinal numbers indicate position or order, unlike cardinal numbers.

Examples:

• the 18th century = le dix-huitième siècle
• the 20th century = le vingtième siècle
• the 21st century = le vingt et unième siècle

Using Years in Everyday French Conversations

Learning how to say years in French is not just about reciting numbers — it’s vital for real-world conversations. Here are some common contexts where expressing years is useful:

• Talking about birthdays: “Je suis né en 1995” (I was born in 1995).
• Discussing historical events: “La Révolution française a eu lieu en 1789.” (The French Revolution took place in 1789.)
• Mentioning anniversaries: “Nous célébrons notre mariage en 2024.” (We celebrate our wedding in 2024.)

Useful Phrases Incorporating Years

Here are some phrases to help you practice how to say years in French:

• En quelle année es-tu né ? – What year were you born?
• Cette maison a été construite en 1920. – This house was built in 1920.
• Nous allons voyager en 2025. – We will travel in 2025.

Common Mistakes When Saying Years in French and How to Avoid Them

Many learners struggle with expressing years due to the complexity of French numbers and pronunciation. Here are frequent pitfalls and tips to overcome them:

• Mixing up cardinal and ordinal numbers: Remember that years are expressed with cardinal numbers, but centuries use ordinal numbers.
• Incorrect pronunciation of numbers above 70: Practice the unique French numbering system (soixante-dix, quatre-vingts, etc.) regularly.
• Forgetting the plural for decades: Always use les années when referring to a decade, e.g., les années 90.
• Misusing “an” and “année”: Use an for quantity and année for duration or specific references.

How Talkpal Enhances Your Learning of French Years and Beyond

Talkpal offers a dynamic platform to master how to say years in French through interactive features such as:

• Real-time speaking practice: Engage in conversations with native speakers or AI tutors to practice pronunciation and usage.
• Customized lessons: Focused modules on numbers, dates, and time expressions ensure targeted learning.
• Immersive experience: Contextual learning helps you understand how to use years naturally in conversation.
• Feedback and correction: Immediate feedback helps eliminate errors and build confidence.

By using Talkpal, you can solidify your grasp of expressing years in French, boosting your overall fluency and ability to communicate effectively.

Conclusion

Mastering how to say years in French is a vital step toward fluency and opens up many avenues for conversation and comprehension. Understanding French numbers, including cardinal and ordinal distinctions, and practicing pronunciation are key to success. Whether you are discussing historical dates, personal milestones, or future plans, correctly expressing years enhances your communication skills. Using tools like Talkpal can greatly accelerate your learning by providing practical, interactive, and contextual practice. Keep practicing regularly, and soon you’ll be confidently talking about any year in French with ease.